A former NASA astronaut has been charged with 2 counts of murder after a traffic crash

James Halsell (left) and Ken Cockrell in Atlantis' cockpit at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, United States in April 1999.
Courtsey NASA via Reuters

A retired NASA astronaut was free on bail on Tuesday after being charged with two counts of murder in connection with a traffic crash that killed two girls near Tuscaloosa, Alabama this week.

James Halsell Jr., who flew five space shuttle missions, was arrested early on Monday after a preliminary investigation showed alcohol and speed may have been factors in the crash, said senior state trooper Reginal King of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Niomi Deona James, 11, and Jayla Latrice Parler, 13, died after the 2015 Ford Fiesta they were riding in was hit by a 2015 Chrysler 300 driven by Halsell, King said in a statement, adding that neither of the girls was wearing a seat belt.